There is only one MM, and he is unique: PM Lee

Perhaps the reason why MM Lee is 'unique' is because MM Lee grew up in a time where post WW2 and the independence of Singapore, the political scene of the time was vibrant and robust. The British had just left, no man was king.

For instance, in the 1963 elections [link], a total of (approx) 209 candidates vied for 51 seats (an average of 4.10 candidates vying for each parliamentary seat, of which 16 candidates were 'independents'). The GRC system of elections was first implemented in 1988 at 3 MPs per GRC but by 2001, the average size of GRCs had swelled to 5.4 MPs per GRC, single seat constituencies available for contest fell from 42 (GE1988) to 9 (GE2006) notwithstanding the a small growth in overall parliamentary seats. No candidate contested the 2006GE as an independent [pict link]. The average candidates vying for each parliamentary seat in 2006 was approx 1.56 candidates per parliamentary seat). Lost was the novelty and innovation needed for political contest- both independent and partisan, Singapore had grown into a notional democracy with one big political party lording over a small and notional opposition.
No political insurance was now necessary.
The PAP had installed themselves as 'King', Singaporeans could now spend all their time growing their 2 spanking new casinos.



Perhaps it was the PAP recurrent persecution and jailing of opposition members, perhaps it was the PAP biased GRC scheme and its natural predisposition to gerrymandering, perhaps it was PAP's blatant hijacking and manipulation of the PA, the civil service and public funds ('How PAP uses taxpayer-funded grassroots for political gain'), ('‘Adviser over MP’ raises many questions'[alt link]), ('Upgrading should be a separate issue from the General Election') and perverting the civil service ('Town Council Act (CAP 329A) states clearly that Govt must work with Town Councils (run by MPs) to implement LUP') to serve its own partisan political hegemonic gain that gave politics in Singapore a bad name.

Whatever the case, I believe that it is perhaps the result the PAP's irrepressible desire for political hegemony that has led both itself and society down the road towards political apathy if not sterility.

Simply put, Singapore has now become a country divided along the lines of the have vs. the have nots, the consequence of PAP's hegemonic suppression of political integrity, diversity and innovation through its needless expansion of GRC sizes in pursuit of hegemonic PAP political dynasty.
- 'Countries with the Biggest Gaps Between Rich and Poor', (by Bruce Einhorn): "No. 2 Singapore-.. Ratio of income or expenditure, share of top 10% to lowest 10%: 17.7". [BW,16Oct2009].


~ "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"-- Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

Rgds
B.C.

Quote:

There is only one MM, and he is unique: PM Lee 04:46 AM Apr 06, 2011 by Ng Jing Yng Following his speech at the Kent Ridge Ministerial Forum last night, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong fielded more than a dozen questions from the audience. Here are some excerpts: ... How does the position of Minister Mentor contribute to the stability of Singapore? ... do you have the aspirations of being MM? Mr Lee: There is only one MM ... He is Mr Lee Kuan Yew and he is unique. And his role and his contributions are also unique ... in terms of his international stature, in terms of his network, in terms of the weight which people give to what he says, I think he is a very precious resource ... Because they have high respect for him, they have high respect for Singapore ... But there will not be another MM and I will not be another MM. Why high salaries and potential leadership positions have failed to attract new candidates from the private sector, compared to the Opposition parties? Mr Lee: We're looking for a certain type of person, certain job specifications ... but also commitment, integrity, purpose. When you're going into the Opposition or going into the Government, I'm not sure that the job specifications are the same ... ... URL http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore...unique--PM-Lee

End-notes/ References:
- 'PM Lee says countries worldwide respect and admire Singapore's proven system': "Suppose you had 10, 15, 20 opposition members in Parliament...I'm going to spend all my time thinking what's the right way to fix them, to buy my supporters votes, how can I solve this week's problem and forget about next year's challenges?.. " [CNA:03May2006][YouTube/@1m10s]
- 'Singapore ministers set for million-dollar pay hike': "...'If we don't do that ... corruption will set in and we will become like many other countries,' Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean was quoted as saying in the Straits Times last week." [Reuters5Apr2007]
- 'Town Council Act (CAP 329A) states clearly that Govt must work with Town Councils (run by MPs) to implement LUP': "It is a joke that for some strange reasons or another, Mr Shanmugan’s ministerial colleague has refused to obey the Town Councils Act by choosing not to work with Hougang Town Council and even has the audacity to TWIST the facts by claiming that 'it is the role of the grassroots advisers to implement the LUP' through his press secretary when it was stated NOWHERE in the Town Councils Act that the LUP has to be carried out by the grassroots advisers! From beginning to end, there was no mention of the words 'Grassroots advisers', 'People Association' or 'PAP losing candidates' and so how did Mr Eric Low come into the picture at all? " [TR, 29Oct2009][alt link]
- 'How PAP uses taxpayer-funded grassroots for political gain': "The People’s Association (PA), ..Like all other stat boards, it receives a yearly grant from the government to run its programmes and cover operational costs. .. It spent a total of $320 million last year.However unlike most stat boards, whose chairmen are usually the permanent secretary of the parent ministry or some other senior civil servant, PA’s chairman is none other than the Prime Minister [pict]. .. No other public sector board in Singapore has so many “Men in White” on it..." [G Giam, 10Oct2009].
- 'Upgrading should be a separate issue from the General Election': "We are concerned about the linking of public housing upgrading and estate renewal programmes to electoral support for the PAP in a constituency. The prioritization of upgrading programmes should be based on sound criteria and be kept a separate issue from the general election.." [petitiononline.com]
- '‘Adviser over MP’ raises many questions': "PAP MPs are appointed as advisers to the grassroots organisations in their wards by the People’s Association (PA). In the two opposition wards, the PA picked the PAP candidates who contested but lost in the wards in the last two polls as the grassroots advisers." [ST, 22Oct2009][alt link]

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